Playing for points: Drivers with most points in last eight races

As the playoffs rapidly approach, points are becoming more and more important in narrowing down to the top 16 drivers who will compete for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup championship. According to Racing Insights, these eight drivers have accumulated the most points over the last eight races.

8. William Byron, 257 points

The 21-year-old has four top 10s and two poles in the last eight races.

7. Kyle Busch, 259 points
Busch has one win (Pocono), four top fives, and six top 10 finishes.

6. Kevin Harvick, 261 points
Harvick sits in this spot thanks to one top five and four top 10s.

5. Martin Truex Jr., 270 points

Truex holds this spot aided by three victories (Dover, Charlotte, Sonoma), four top fives, and five top 10s.

t-3. Joey Logano, 297 points

The defending Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion's spot is buoyed by a win (Michigan), one pole, four top fives and six top 10s.

t-3. Brad Keselowski, 297 points.

Keselowski is tied with his teammate Logano. He has a total of one win (Kansas), three top fives, and four top 10s over the past eight races.

2. Chase Elliott, 303 points
Elliott has one win (Talladega), one pole, and five top fives -- including three straight fourth-place finishes at Kansas, Charlotte and Pocono -- in the last eight races.

1. Alex Bowman, 323 points

The most recent race winner -- formerly known as Mr. Second Place -- Bowman has one win (Chicagoland), three runner-up finishes (All in a row at Talladega, Dover and Kansas), and six top 10s out of the last eight races.